littleBits' Ayah Bdeir aims to democratise electronics

Ayah Bdeir says a failure to understand technology is a form of illiteracy, and has embarked on a mission to make electronics accessible to everyone through her company littleBits.

Inspired by Legos, littleBits' 1in (2.5cm) blocks snap together with magnets to allow anyone to create electronic circuits, regardless of their lack of engineering experience.

Ms Bdeir, who was born in 1982 in Montreal, told the BBC she is constantly amazed by the littleBits creations she sees - models of the Mars Rover, robots, musical instruments, interactive art installations, and more.

She says she hopes people will see littleBits as tools, not just toys.

Produced by Ashley Semler; filmed by Anna Bressanin; edited by Bill McKenna

Women in Tech is a series of stories profiling the most innovative, pioneering and successful women and how they are changing an industry traditionally dominated by men.